Grading
Overall 9.5 GEM MINT
Centering 10
Corners 9.5
Edges 9.5
Surface 9
Rarity & Collectability
Savannah Lions is extremely low population in the Alpha edition with only 7 copies graded in BGS 9.5. Part of the reason why the population count is so low is a common print dot on the back of the card. This particular example has a small white dot on the bottom left back of the card near the black border which knocks the surface grade to a 9. Outside of this, this copy has minimal visible flaws and a perfect 10 centering which is always difficult for the Alpha edition.
Impressions & Artwork
A lion leaping onto prey by Danial Gelon. This is such an iconic card as it was a main staple in so many white decks.
Usage & Gameplay
This card was an auto 4 card include in all white weeny decks. What is interesting about this is that even back then, the creators of the game knew how powerful a 2 power creature costing 1 mana was and slotted this card in the rare slot.
Nostalgia
My sister played Magic with me for a brief time and her deck of choice was a white weeny deck using Savannah Lions, Crusades, White Knights, Serra Angels and Swords to Plowshares. I'm pretty sure everyone in that era had made a similar deck at some point, and seeing this card always takes me back to the simple days of playing a game with my sister. I still maintain this deck to this day as it is so nostalgic for me.
Both of us are so busy now raising our families and children, it seems surreal to imagine a time when we had enough time to play a game of cards.
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